- Warns Against Politicising Tragedy
MINISTER of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed allegations linking him to the death of Mary Habila, a member of his domestic staff, describing the claims as false and urging the public to allow security agencies to conclude their investigation.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the minister said he was deeply saddened by Habila’s death, describing her as “like a daughter” and warning against attempts to politicise the incident.
Umahi said Habila had lived and worked with his family for about three years and maintained a close relationship with them throughout that period.
He clarified that she was a nurse employed by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, contrary to reports in some sections of the media describing her as a physiotherapist.
According to the minister, Habila had been receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed health condition at a Turkish hospital in Abuja, with the cost of her care reportedly borne by him.
He said her most recent hospital visit was on April 5, during which about ₦2.2 million was spent on her treatment.
Providing details of the events leading to her death, Umahi said Habila had spoken with her boyfriend shortly before the incident and complained of persistent bleeding from her nose.
According to him, the boyfriend advised her to seek medical attention immediately and suggested ending the phone conversation because continued talking could worsen the bleeding.
Umahi said Habila reportedly pleaded with him not to end the call, but the boyfriend disconnected and attempted to call her back about three minutes later. However, she did not respond.
The minister said Habila had informed her boyfriend that she intended to take a bath after locking her room. He explained that when she could not be reached the following morning, the door to her room was forced open and she was found dead, with the water tap still running.
Umahi stressed that Habila died in a guest house occupied by staff members, which he said is located some distance from his personal residence. He argued that her death should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing on his part.
“What baffles me in this country is that everything becomes an opportunity. There is a guest house where she and another medical staff member stayed, and it is far from where I live. Does it mean that if someone dies in the Ministry of Works, the minister must automatically be held responsible?” he asked.
The minister questioned the basis of allegations circulating on social media, insisting that critics had ignored Habila’s medical history and her longstanding relationship with his family.
He maintained that he had no involvement in her death, adding that if he were guilty, he and his family would bear the consequences. He cautioned against using the death of a young woman to score political points.
Umahi also defended another female staff member who was reportedly with Habila before her death. He explained that the woman, who is from Benue State, had worked with him during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State before joining the federal civil service.
On the ongoing investigation, the minister said he had insisted on an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death, despite the family’s reported reluctance to consent because of cultural beliefs.
“We have been appealing to the family to permit an autopsy. They said it is against their culture, but we believe it is necessary to establish the true cause of death,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that he had requested the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to Abuja to ensure transparency and thoroughness. He said he also urged the police to continue engaging with Habila’s family in the hope of obtaining consent for the post-mortem examination.
The minister criticised the circulation of what he described as misleading reports and photographs allegedly taken at the mortuary, claiming the images were leaked by police sources before being shared on social media and online news platforms.
He warned that his legal team would pursue legal action against individuals responsible for spreading what he described as false information and engaging in cyberbullying.
The circumstances surrounding Habila’s death remain under police investigation, while authorities continue efforts to establish the exact cause of death through forensic examination.
